How many guests?

[Becky]

I will be sending my invitations out today for my first exchange to be held 12/16 at 10am. It's a little short notice but I'm hoping the morning will be good to get as many guests as possible. I don't have a large home so I'm hoping to have 10-15 people but definitely no more than 20! I have invited 18 but am thinking I will add another 5 co-workers to the list just in case (those that you can't invite one without inviting them all). But what if everyone shows up?? We'll be sitting on one another's laps!!

My questions is this: Is there ANY way to estimate how many guests will attend prior to sending invitations?

Thank you all so much in advance.

[bonnieb]

When I send out invitations it is usually for 12 ladies. If I get an RSVP no then I send out another. I usually send out invitations far enough in advance. My house is not that large either.

I haven't hosted a party in two years because now my friends are into hosting the cookie swaps which is actually nice for me. One of my friends has kind of an open house policy. She invites everyone! Some come just to eat and chat while others do the same and bring cookies to swap. It is so laid back. I can't host a cookie swap like hers. I like to know how many people and cookies.

I am going to one in two weeks hosted by another friend and she has invited around 20 ladies as well. Some have already RSVP'd no but her group is growing. She told me that she usually has ladies bring 4 dozen cookies (packaged separately in half dozens). Not sure how she will figure who gets what but I'm just going along for the fun.

Don't worry about the numbers. Most of the time (unless you are doing sit down games) people end up standing around talking anyway. I guess it's easier to move from person to person.

I love the morning idea - Brunch and a cookie swap!

Enjoy

[Becky]

Thank you so much for your input!

I'm with you--I'd much rather know who's coming than run the risk of running out of something. I'd imagine that for people who entertain a lot, they never run out.

I'm excited, I'm inviting a broad range of ages and work/family/personal friends and I think it'll be a hit. Especially with some of the great ideas on this site!